Do it Best cuts the ribbon in Sikeston, Mo.

Taylor, right, and Don Wolf, Do it Best’s president emeritus, at the ceremony

Executives from Do it Best Corp. celebrated the grand opening of the co-op’s new Retail Service Center in Sikeston, Mo.

Bob Taylor, president and CEO of Do it Best Corp., and Sikeston Mayor Jerry Pullen cut the ribbon on the 550,000-sq.-ft. facility, which will serve as the co-op’s strategic hub for product distribution to members throughout the Midwest and central United States.

The Sikeston RSC replaces a previous facility in nearby Cape Girardeau, which was built in 1971 and was the first Do it Best Corp. distribution center outside the co-op’s home in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“Although our Cape location allowed us to effectively serve our members for more than four decades, we knew we could do even better. This new Sikeston facility brings additional efficiencies as we look to accommodate future growth in the region and serve even more independent entrepreneurs,” said Taylor. “With the integration of brand new technology and improved work flows built into this facility, the Sikeston RSC shipped its first product -- on schedule and under budget -- with a 98% fill rate on its very first day.”

The Sikeston RSC represents a $34 million capital investment and stocks $22 million in inventory. The 67,000 unique products in the center are available to Do it Best Corp. member-owners in Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee.

Do it Best member Frank Blair, owner of of Schnarr’s Hardware Co. in Ladue, Mo., said he couldn’t be happier with the Sikeston opening.

“The Sikeston center will provide independent Do it Best hardware stores, home centers, lumberyards, e-tailers and industrial/commercial businesses with a wide selection of competitively priced products for our diverse customers.”